Fireworks spark several small fires in Sonoma County

Fireworks appear to have caused several small fires in Petaluma and Rohnert Park on Tuesday night, causing minimal damage.

Fire officials Wednesday reported no major Fourth of July incidents from legal or illegal fireworks in Sonoma County.

Petaluma firefighters Tuesday night responded to four fires in garbage cans and dumpsters, where it appeared people disposed of fireworks that then combusted the contents, said Battalion Chief Jeff Schach. Some of the cans were located at city parks.

Aerial fireworks - illegal outside of a sanctioned show - are suspected of starting a landscape fire Tuesday next to a commercial building on Cypress Drive near South McDowell Boulevard, Schach said, that was stopped before reaching the building.

Fire officials suspect an aerial firework fired from somewhere in the same southern Petaluma area started a small vegetation fire in a dry field near Shollenberger Park.

Rohnert Park fire and police had 117 calls regarding fireworks on the holiday, double last year’s number of calls, said Rohnert Park fire Commander Mike Bates.

Firefighters responded to two dumpster fires, Bates said. Rohnert Park’s fires appeared to have been caused by firework remnants.

You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 707-521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com.